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On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, Joseph P. McDonald manned the switchboard at Fort Shafter in Hawaii when he received the alarming message that radar had detected a large number of planes approaching from the north, heading fast for Oahu.
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Motorists who use the Pango mobile app to pay at parking meters in Scranton will get reimbursed for any inadvertent overcharges since Sept. 1, the new operator of the city’s parking system said.
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The ailing Valley View High School pool is temporarily closed. School board directors unanimously voted Wednesday to decommission the natatorium and preserve the area until funding becomes available
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Editor: As a former school director, I would like to suggest a solution to the current issue of student college recommendations being withheld by high school teachers at Abington Heights.

Certainly, the recommendations for the students of fellow teachers are not being withheld. As a gesture of good faith, Abington Heights teachers could offer recommendations for students whose parents work in other districts.

For that matter, they could offer to write recommendations for students who have a relative who ever worked in a school district. The union might even consider to allow their high school members to include recommendations for students whose family was ever, is now or certainly will be members of the NEA, AFT, AFSCME or the SEIU. All they would have to do is to provide a copy of the union card of any relative, past or present.

For the students who might not qualify under this plan, they might sign a statement of intent to join any union at some point in the future.

The problem is solved. The benefits are obvious. The children are rescued from the battle within the community. The high school teachers can regain the respect of their students and the AHEA can show what solidarity looks like within the public union sector at the local, state and federal levels.

KEN HERON

CLARKS SUMMIT

Bill a stunner in any language

Editor: Several months back I received an unsolicited phone call asking if I would like to save money on my electric bill. Even at my advanced years I fell for this ploy. I changed providers.

I requested a contract itemizing what I had just agreed to and one was mailed to me. The only problem was it was printed in a foreign language. I called several times and was assured a contract in English would be provided. It never was.

Anyway, my bill rose by 400 percent. I called my local state representative and explained the 400 percent increase. I was told to contact the Public Utility Commission. As I recovered from waves of laughter, I said if I call they might send me a bill to pay for the electric company to read my complaint.

I was then told to contact the governor's office. Ponder this for a brief moment: The words gas and electric are in the title of the company I have a problem with. Those words were used in the same sentence with the name Tom Corbett.

Again, after recovering from waves of laughter, I filled out and mailed my complaint to the attorney general's office. Since it did not involve state employees, I don't know what will be done but somebody should have to be held accountable. (Maybe they can blame it on Ed Rendell.)

I hope something will be done about the price gouging. Alas, I fear the PUC never will come down on the side of the consumer.

I would, however, like to thank the young man in the state rep's office for the laughs I enjoyed.

WALTER EVANS

SCRANTON

Fitting finish for wronged coach

Editor: As the last two of a group of five old bucks who for many years sat behind the bench of the Abington girls and boys basketball teams, offering out advice and criticisms to Vince Bucciarelli and Ken Bianchi, we feel an injustice was done to Mr. Bucciarelli in the hard, cold manner he was told not to ask why when he was informed of the decision of the administration, and I would assume backed by the school board, that this would be his last year.

Even in our criminal justice system the accused is informed of the charges against him so that he can prepare a defense.

To Mr. Bucciarelli's credit he could have left then, packed his bags, or waltzed through the season. Instead he developed a group of fine young ladies. At the beginning of the season it looked as though they would be lucky to win a single game. But with Mr. Bucciarelli's coaching and their determination, they had a winning season that ended with a fine showing in the state playoffs to add another star to Mr. Bucciarelli's record.

As coaches on all levels - pro, college, high school, youth leagues - know, they are always subject to the whims and fancies of owner, fans, parents and yes, school boards and administrators. And they can be given the boot without any consideration of past, and I'm sure in Mr. Bucciarelli's case, future performance.

Only time will tell of the wisdom of this decision, but we pledge that we will continue our support of the teams and the new coach, whoever he or she may be.

To Mr. Bucciarelli, thanks for a lot of thrilling entertainment on long, cold winter nights for many years. We wish you the best in your future endeavors.

GENE GALLAGHER

CLARKS SUMMIT

DARI LEIGHTCAP

CLARKS SUMMIT

Friends in need

Editor: Throughout the years we have been very fortunate to meet many Ukrainian people. Many came from Ukraine and some were born here.

They are soft-spoken, hardworking and put their hearts and souls into everything they do. They built beautiful churches and brought wonderful traditions.

They are a gentle nationality. We hope our country will help out their homeland and the American people will pray for them.

EDWARD AND REGINA KOZEL

SCOTT TWP.

Another split

Editor: Life is much more complex than it used to be. Before there were good guys and bad guys. The former wore white hats and the latter wore black hats.

Now there are good bad guys and bad good guys. It's difficult to tell them apart.

Someone has said: When the forces of virtue rise one foot, the forces of vice rise 10 feet. This is evident practically everywhere you go.

Behold Ukraine!

Why not an East Ukraine and a West Ukraine? After World War II there was a West Germany and an East Germany. Now they are united. Couldn't the same happen again?

BOB SINGER

WILKES-BARRE

Colorful find

Editor: A planet recently was discovered beyond Pluto. The heavenly body is the color pink. Why not name it "Pepto" after the famous pink bellyache drink?

VINCE MORABITO

SCRANTON

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